Vauxhall Insignia saloon (2009 – ) expert review

1. Exterior

The difference between the previous Vectra and the new Vauxhall Insignia is night and day. Where the Vectra was all straight edges, the replacement is curvaceous. There’s a bold chrome front grille and a tapered rear end, with smart rear clusters. The saloon shape looks classier than the hatchback and appears better proportioned. Wheels make a difference to how good the Insignia looks, with high-specification models featuring more aggressively styled alloy wheels and looking a whole lot better. LED daytime running lights are optional on all but the top models and add a distinctive touch.

Our rating: 4

2. Interior

The interior is an enormous leap forward. It’s classy with quality materials and a smart wrap-around effect to the dashboard. All of the buttons feel solid and sturdy, but there are lots of them, so familiarisation can take a while. The display for the audio system is high up, while it’s easy to read and operate. The seats are supportive and stay comfortable even over long distances, and combined with the multi-adjustable steering wheel, offer plenty of opportunity to get that perfect driving position.

Our rating: 5

3. Practicality

While a shapely body looks good, it has its downside when it comes to space inside, as the flowing roof line robs tall passengers of rear head room. However the 490-litre boot beats all of its main rivals, Volkswagen Passat excepted. Visibility is another casualty of the shape, with shallow windows making parking more difficult. The optional parking sensors make things a whole lot easier. Depending on which model you choose, towing capacity ranges from 1,350kg to 1,800kg.

Our rating: 3

4. Ride and handling

The Insignia isn’t the most exciting car to drive. It’s safe and predictable in the way it operates, but ultimately lacks real feel and feedback through the steering. When hustled along a country road, it handles neatly enough, with plenty of grip, but lacks that special something to make you want to press on. The Insignia is better suited to long-distance duties, than back-road jaunts. Road noise can be quite intrusive on poor surfaces, but depends greatly on the size of road wheels chosen.

Our rating: 3

5. Performance

There’s a vast choice of engines, including five petrol engines and four diesel units, and the added reassurance of four-wheel-drive on some models. Diesel models account for most sales, with power outputs ranging from 128bhp to 158bhp, while taking the petrol option means a range from 138bhp to a mighty 321bhp. Each engine puts in a solid performance with class leading acceleration and top speed. No other car maker offers such a broad range of engines to suit all tastes. The best selling 2-litre CDTi engine produces 158bhp, can complete the zero to 62mph dash in just 8.9 seconds and has a top speed of 135mph. Opting for an automatic knocks 1mph off the top speed and half a second off the acceleration to 62mph.

Our rating: 4

6. Running costs

The Insignia has higher CO2 emissions than the Volkswagen Passat as well as inferior fuel consumption figures. Only ecoFLEX models that produce 129g/km of CO2 dip into band D for VED,  thanks to lowered suspension, low rolling resistance tyres and aerodynamic enhancements. All Insignia models offer competitive insurance groupings, though used values tend to be a little lower than many main rivals, including the Volkswagen Passat and Toyota Avensis they are better than those predicted for the Citroën C5 and Peugeot 407.

Our rating: 3

7. Reliability

Vauxhall has always sat somewhere in the middle when it comes to reliability surveys, and the launch of the lifetime warranty will ease the minds of some. Most Insignias come equipped with the 2-litre CDTi engine which is known to suffer problems with the diesel particulate filter. A regular burst along A-roads will ensure that the filter doesn’t get clogged up and therefore should remain trouble-free.

Our rating: 3

8. Safety

Vauxhall’s Insignia achieved a five-star safety rating in the EuroNCAP crash tests, and features a wide repertoire of safety devices as standard across the range, including electronic stability programme, traction control and six airbags. Rear side airbags and kneebags aren’t available even as an option.

Our rating: 4

9. Equipment

You can’t really go wrong, as every Insignia model is decently kitted out. Entry level Exclusiv trim features cruise control, air-con, leather steering wheel and gear knob, automatic headlights and electric front windows, with SRi models gaining sports seats, front fog lights, electric rear windows and 17-inch alloy wheels. Mid-range SE trim includes wood inserts, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, digital radio and rain sensor, while top-spec Elite versions gain 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, heated leather seats, xenon headlights, power folding mirrors and front and rear parking sensors. Most of the popular optional extras are assembled into option packs to keep things simple and the costs down.

Our rating: 4

10. Why buy?

With Ford and Mazda both abandoning the large saloon car market and sticking with hatchback versions of its Mondeo and 6, the Insignia has few mainstream rivals. The saloon is the best-proportioned of the three Insignia body styles and looks stylish, with an almost upmarket look and feel. The inside is just as classy with quality materials used throughout.

Our rating: 3